Posts Tagged ‘Bedroom’

Just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean you have to pack away all your decorations.  Snowmen and snowflakes are great for the holidays, but they can also brighten your home during the long winter months.  I live in a northern climate  where we get lots of snow, cold weather and more dark than daylight.   Snowmen are the perfect indulgence for this endless season.

• Take them off your mantle and tuck them into little nooks and crannies.  Just by moving them around the house, you’ve created a something new.

Don't pack the snowmen away just yet, move your collection to the bathroom or guest bedroom

When grouping the snow people together, vary heights, sizes and texture for a more interesting display.

• Move part of your collection to the bathroom or bedroom.

This snowman candy dish is perfect for fancy soap in a guest bathroom.

• If you’re expecting guests this winter, display them in the guest room for an unexpected touch.

• Set the table with snow friends.  Position one at each place setting at a winter party.

• Gather your men with a little quilters batting or fake snow on a tray for a centerpiece.

JI just love this snowflake plate my kids gave me for Christmas. I can use it all winter long.

Group your snowman collection on a pretty plate

• Make paper snowflakes (or have your kids do it) to hang in the window.  Line the snowmen on the window sill.

• Fill the empty corner in your kitchen with snowmen.
  

• Don’t pack away the snowmen dishes you used at Christmas time.  Fill them with appetizers at your next football party.

You can’t fight winter, might as well enjoy it!

Patrick’s bedroom was finished just in time for his party.  (We were hanging his posters as guests were arriving!  Who doesn’t work best under pressure?)

Pat's new bedroom has more color and personality.

My husband wasn’t sure about the gold paint on the walls, but will admit it was a good choice.  The color is in the bedskirt fabric and makes the red chair and navy bedspread really pop.  Everything doesn’t have to be matchy-matchy.  Get a little daring when picking paint.

The red chair, a quilted throw and another movie poster make this corner very cozy.

But the walls needed something more than posters, so horizontal stripes turned out to be the perfect solution.  I taped off random widths and bought small paint samples in navy, red and green (also found in the fabric).  Painting stripes is a putzy job, but the results are worth it.

Horizontal stripes add dimension and color to the room.

It took me a while to come up with an idea for the valances.  I ordered cellular shades for the windows, so privacy and sunlight weren’t a concern.  They needed to be masculine and simple.  I used the red quilted fabric and added a strip of the paisley at the top.

Masculine window treatments were in order.

Instead of the usual drapery hardware, I went to a big box hardware store and bought two 40” lengths of galvanized pipe.  Instead of the usual drapery rings or a shirred header, I went with grommets for something different.  I poked around the electrical section of the store until I found some fittings that worked as finials.  Pat has a unique drapery treatment and that cost only a few dollars.

Grommets and galvanized pipes are inexpensive and manly!

Who says drapery and hardware has to be the usual poles and balls? The hardware store has all kinds of fun things you can use.

His bed and desk/TV swapped places in the room.  We had to buy a new desk since the old one sort of fell apart as we moved it.  We chose a desk instead of a TV stand because a desk is taller.

We originaly had the TV on the right side of the desk, but Pat preferred it this way (less glare).

A few coordinating throw pillows, his movie posters and closet door handles and the room is complete.

I found rugged industrial handles for the closet doors.

These Indiana Jones posters and the red chair started the whole redecorating project.

Pat bought this poster during a trip to San Francisco with the band.

Pat's Grandma made him this quilt several years ago and it's very special to him.

The quilt was made by his Grandma a few years ago.  The colors are perfect for the new room.

I wouldn’t have put his two DVD shelves next to each other, but it’s Pat’s room and that’s where he wanted them.

Pat wanted both DVD stands next to each other. I would have put one behind the chair, but it's his room...

I think I will  look for a floor lamp and give it to him for Christmas.  Also a bulletin board for his calendars and notes.  A room is never really done, it’s a work in progress and that’s OK.  Rooms should evolve and change as people and seasons do.  But it will be sometime before we make any changes (quite sometime!).

The room turned out just as we wanted and Pat is very happy.

Patrick is really comfortable in his new room.

I was interview by Tammy Kahn Fennell of Collectibles Corner TV.  She offers practical tips for collecting antiques.  I talked to her about designing and living with antique furniture.   Check out the interview at #42 Interior Designing with Antiques.

Send me your living with antiques design questions!

Our next step in redecorating Patrick’s room is to look for bedding and fabric.  He is a typical guy who really doesn’t like to shop, but it’s his room, so I insisted he choose the chair and bedspread.  I know I won’t have time to make a bedspread, but I can manage valances for the window and a bedskirt.

We headed for the bedding section at the local department store.  Red is just not a hot color now, so our choices were limited.  I pulled out 5 bedspreads that would go with his chair:  denim, a black/red bold stripe, a navy matelasse, a grey/red hip and trendy print and black graphic print.  He chose (drum roll, please…) the navy matelasse!  A matelasse is two pieces of fabric that have been quilted together by hand or machine with matching thread.  It’s beautiful coverlet, but it doesn’t offer any other colors to use in the room.

Pat chose a navy matelasse for his bedspread

Next, I went to area fabric stores to look for a coordinating fabrics for the drapery and bedskirt.  That was a challenge too since we didn’t want a patriotic red, white and blue room.  I also didn’t want to show him too many choices.   Like most clients, too many options are simply overwhelming.  A good designer knows her client and can narrow down the choices before making a presentation.

This stripe fabric would have been perfect had it not been sold out!

Pat liked the navy, green, red and beige stripe, but it was already sold out by the time I returned.  He also liked a solid red quilted fabric and I talked him into a dark, navy, red, green paisley.

I think we will use this for window valances

This paisley fabric is very grown-up and a little sophisticated!

• The bedspread was regularly priced at $150.00, but on sale and with a coupon, I got it for half price!
  
• The red quilted fabric was also on sale, marked down from $14.00 a yard to $11.19.  Unfortunately, the store had less than 2 1/2 yards.   There won’t be enough for the bedskirt, but I can make a simple drapery valance out of the piece.
• I also had a 50% off coupon for the paisley fabric (see a trend here?).  I paid $12.50 a yard instead of $25.00.  I bought the end of the bolt so I’m hoping 5 yards of fabric will be sufficient.

At least we have some colors to choose from when we pick paint.  Fortunately, I have lots of paint chips at my office and we can pick one out before we head out the store again.

Patrick and I went shopping for a red chair.  What you should know about us is I like to shop and he doesn’t (unless of course it’s for movies and electronics). The other thing is Patrick figures when you say you are going to do something you mean right now.  I have a little more patience (meaning I can wait a long time for just the right thing, however when I make up my mind I want it right now too).  As a designer, thousands of fabrics are available to me so are hundreds of chair frames.  Custom furniture can take 12- 16 weeks.  Neither one of us wanted to wait that long to complete his room so we checked out the local retail furniture stores.

Doc Brown has a great red arm chair in Back to the Future.

Our mission was to find a similar chair to the one Doc Brown had in Back to the Future.  We found a couple red chairs in micro fiber (not a big fan of micro fiber).  Although they were quite inexpensive, they were also too big.

Doc's chair is in red moire fabric, has a loose back cusion and rolled arms. Looks comfy.

Two mistakes people make when shopping:
1.    You get what you pay for!  Cheap never lasts as long as a good quality     piece.  Buy the best you can afford.
2.    Measure your doorways and stair ways before buying.  No sense in hauling something home if you can’t get it in the house.  Custom furniture is not returnable!

The stariway in our old farm house is narrow. Be sure to measure before you buy!

There isn’t a 36” wide opening on any door in my house interior or exterior.  Pat’s room is on the second floor.  Not only did we have to get it into the house, we had to get it up stairs.

Pat watched as his dad and brother Tyler delivered the chair.

We bought a very nice recliner in red leather!  The size was perfect (it did take a little maneuvering, but we were successful).  It was on sale for under $800.00.  Not a bad price for leather.  Knowing Pat, he will take very good care of it.  He will want to change color schemes before it shows any wear!

It's not an exact copy, but pretty close and maybe better than the Doc Brown chair!

Our next step will be finding fabric for bedding and window treatments so we can choose paint colors.  Paint can be mixed in an endless number of colors, shades or hues.  A good paint company can match anything.  So even though picking a color is difficult for most people, select your fabrics first, then mix a paint to coordinate with your soft goods.

Doesn't Patrick look comfortable and relaxed in his new recliner?

Patrick’s Room–Before

Welcome to Re-Decorating™!  Our first project is my son Patrick’s bedroom.  He moved into this room after his older brother, Tyler graduated from college and before we had a chance to make any changes and update the finishes!  Pat told me this summer he wanted a red chair like the one Doc Brown had in Back to the Future.   If we are purchasing a new chair it’s time to re-decorate the entire room.

Patrick needs a grown-up room!

As with all my design clients, I assess which furniture pieces  we will keep and what needs to be replaced.  Same with accessories and artwork.  With teenagers and young adults, personality and interests play a big part in designing bedrooms.

Patrick's bedroom "before"

We built the wood closet to look like an original closet in the master bedroom circa 1890's.

Patrick is a big movie fan.  He collects DVDs and posters.   He has an antique wood shelf that is perfect for movies (it’s already full) and a narrow, tall shelf (half full).  He has several movie posters and just purchased three Indiana Jones posters this month.  The new ones are very large, so we will have to determine if there will be wall space to hang everything.

This antique wood shelf folds flat. It's the perfect size for DVDs!

The tall DVD shelf is new (and almost full) and the bedside table is part of an old bachelor's dresser.

The vintage iron bed frame belonged to my Grandparents, so that will stay.  I remember sleeping on it when I was a kid.  It brings back great memories of times spent on the farm with my sister and cousins.  It will need to be painted.

The old iron bed isn't fancy, but has tremendous sentimental value!

...but it does need new paint.

The purple bedspread is only a couple of years old, but may not “go” with the red chair.  Same with the bedskirt.

I made this bedskirt several years ago. It's still in great shape and has red in it. Maybe it will still work?

The little bedside table is from an old bachelor’s dresser.  Someone took it apart years ago and sold the pieces separately.  It’s a bit low, but it works for Patrick.  He likes having the drawer and storage.

The bird's eye maple dresser is a lovely antique.

His dresser is an antique and in very nice condition.  The desk is nothing special, but serves its purpose so it will stay until we find something better.  As with everyone who owns electronics, cord control is an issue.  We will have to tackle that problem.

The desk is noting special, but has room for electronics and remotes!

Do cords multiply when we aren't looking? This will be the biggest challenge on this project.

One of the things I do as a designer is ask my clients how they use the space.  Pat is almost 21, so spends time on his computer and watching TV or movies.  He sits on the bed with his laptop facing the desk/TV.  He has a desk chair, but never sits on it, so it’s hidden away in his closet for now.  I know we can rearrange the furniture to make better use of the space.  If he decides he has no need for the chair, it will go.

Desk chair is practically brand new,

The window valances and painted borders are left over from Tyler’s teenage years.  They are history along with the blue mini blinds.

I painted the border to match the stripes on the fabric. It still looks good, but the room needs a fresh approach.

Old mini blinds have got to go!

The ceiling fan is too big for the room, but we will keep it for now.  Pat can probably use a lamp on the desk or dresser.  I will figure out lighting needs after the room is rearranged.

The grey carpeting is in good condition, just needs to be cleaned.

So we have our work cut out for us.  Since he is set on getting a red chair that will be our inspiration and the first thing we buy.  This will be a do-it-ourselves project.  I need to set a date for completion to stay on track.  I will plan on Halloween, but be happy if we are finished by Thanksgiving!  We definitely have to be done before his birthday on December 3.  One thing experience has taught me, everything takes longer than you planned!

The Breast Cancer Showhouse opened to the public this weekend.  Although the weather was more fall-like than early summer (after all this is Wisconsin) crowds of supporters flocked to the house to support cancer research and get loads of design ideas.

Many of the rooms in the house are traditional featuring warm, creamy colors with bold splashes of black.  Each designer puts his or her personal stamp in their space.

Royal Doulton Toby Mugs

The kitchen displays a fabulous collection of Toby mugs from Jim Jung’s (Boston Store) personal collection.

The laundry room was devoted to the home owner’s dog Zoë.  Tom Hoffman (Tom Hofffman Designs) and Mary Shaufelberger (Steinkellner Decorating Studio) had pet portraits painted for the walls.  Patty Virnig’s (Ivy Interiors) third floor bath is glamorous and feminine in bold, graphic black and white. Makes you wish you were going to a ball!

Susan found this vintage vanity with the mirrored top in her Mother's attic.

Our room is the last stop on the home tour.  You walk into a blast of color.  Carrie Storm of  C.S. Storm Art brought in a collection of her latest paintings.   We particular love the bra, panties and camisole still life.

We just love Carrie Storm's lingerie painting.

Whoever said shag rugs are passé hasn’t been carpet shopping lately?  Anything retro is hot.  That includes accessories and colors from the 60’s.  (Did I mention psychedelic?)  A purple shag rug added the right amount of splash to the floor and grounded the entire room.

Love the purple shag rug.

The vintage daybed with loads of colorful pillows is so inviting.  A daybed is the perfect solution for a room that needs a mattress for sleeping and sofa for lounging and not enough room for both.

Day beds are perfect for sleeping, lounging, dreaming!

A comfy bed needs lots of pillows.

Pillows in a variety of shapes and sizes make the bed more interesting.

We chose furniture with medium to dark stains to contrast with the vanilla walls and bright fabrics.  It’s important to remember that all woods in room do not have to match. The maple flooring looks great with the darker woods.

Big splash of color in the corner!

We stayed with dark wood for the furniture. It's a nice contrast to the vanilla walls and bright fabrics. Remember, all wood tones do not have to match!

The bold, graphic purple flower fabric was our inspiration.  We used it on the bedspread and used it again on a pillow, and the ottoman and vanity stool.  You can use almost anything for inspiration a fabric, a beautiful rug, a painting or even a favorite accessory.  Find the one thing that you love or gets your creative juices flowing!  You have to start the design process somewhere!

Jean Haas upholstered the vanity stool to match the bedding.

The next time your community hosts a designer showhouse for charity, be sure to visit.  Gather your friends for an afternoon of design.  Not only will you support a good cause, but you will go home with more ideas for updating your home than you will have time to do.

One of the biggest challenges of furnishing a room for a showhouse is finding enough furniture and accessories to fill the space.  For designers like Susan and I, who don’t have a store or showroom, we “depend on the kindness of strangers”.  (Don’t you just love Blanche’s line in Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire?)

We didn't have any trouble finding lots of color at World Market

World Market came to our rescue and provided us with anything we needed.  Katherine and Ali were so much fun to work with and loaned us a desk and chair, table,  cabinet and all kinds of accessories

Ali was a great help with picking out furniture.

The desk "Before"

We didn’t paint the walls or the ceiling and the furniture we brought in was dark wood and wicker.  So accessories and fabric had to carry the color load.

You don’t have to spend lots of money to get a really great space.  I know it’s a cliché, but once you start “thinking outside the box,” you will find all kinds of clever ways to decorate.  The basic desk and chair are OK, but add a dining table runner and it becomes “Wow!”

The desk "After" -- Wow!

This little cabinet takes the place of the missing closet

The corner cabinet really popped with colorful towels, books and girly stuff.

A colorful vignette on the cabinet top.

Think odd numbers when creating a display.  Things always look better in odd number groups whether you are arranging items on a mantle, dresser or bookshelf.  The lunch box can hold all kinds of trinkets.  A few touches of lime green offered a nice contrast to all the purple and orange.

The house opens to the public June 6.  Stayed tuned for more of the big reveal!

Coming up with a design scheme is the most fun part of interior design.
When I work on a Showhouse, I can really let the creative juices flow.
Designers love to do them because (generally) the sky is the limit.
For the 2009 Breast Cancer Showhouse in Milwaukee, Susan and
I came up with our own “client”.  A young, hip, twenty-something female artist.

Fabrics for Artist's Retreat

Graphic flower print for the bed

We have just finalized the fabrics for our Artist’s Retreat.
Bright and bold colors are perfect for our “client”.
We fell in love with this orange, purple and fuchsia print by Duralee.
I love the big, bold graphic flower.  You will be seeing more and
more purple in all shades in the coming months. It will make a
great bedspread or coverlet for the day bed.

Colorful pillow fabrics

Every bed needs lots of pillows so we plan to design and make
a variety using faux suede and cotton fabrics in complementary colors.
Can’t wait to get started on those.

Dizzy Circles!

I’m not yet sure where we will use this purple on orange print
with child like scribbled circles, but it coordinates with everything
else and is just plain funky!

This will look great on the windows.

The pattern on this lovely sheer fabric looks like little flying carpets.
It will add color to the windows without blocking the natural light.

Susan and I along with the other interior designers will start painting
and installing our room layouts April 1.  We only have a month to
get the room ready.

Great fun, worthy cause!

I’ve been involved with the Milwaukee Breast Cancer Showhouse for a Cure for 10 years. Millions of dollars have been raised to support the Medical College’s Cancer Center research efforts.
Who hasn’t been touched by breast cancer? Four women in my family have had this devastating disease. Two aunts, who are survivors, and their two daughters who weren’t as lucky. My cousin Julie, a wife and mother, died a couple of years ago at 47. Rhonda, also a wife and mother, died January 1, 2008, just 3 weeks before her 39th birthday.
I support these research efforts by designing and creating a room. This year I am teaming up with my friend Susan Michalek of Desumi Design. We are creating an artist’s atelier or retreat. It will be colorful, fun and funky. We will feature lots of design ideas.
I will be posting before, during and after photos as we begin the design process. In the meantime, go to http://www.breastcancershowhouse.org for more details about touring this year’s house.
We need to do everything we can to cure cancer and keep the memory alive for those we loved and miss.